Lin Sheng conceded and leaped neatly down from the arena.
The stands fell silent for several seconds, then erupted into an uproar.
"Did I hear that right? He conceded?!"
"What the hell! He conceded in the final? I was waiting for a big showdown!"
"That's downright cowardly! He could at least have exchanged a couple of blows!"
"What's cowardly about it? There was such a huge gap between their cultivation levels. Isn't conceding when you can't win perfectly normal? Besides, the runner-up gets a prize too. He never aimed for the championship in the first place."
Voices clamored over one another, some disappointed, some mocking, others enlightened, all jumbled together.
Sha Luo stared wide-eyed for a long moment, then burst out laughing, slapping the railing in delight.
"Nice one, Lin Sheng! What a dirty trick! Look at Ao Xuan's face-it's practically turning green! Hahahaha! Let him choke on it!"
Andy, too, could not help laughing. Waving his folding fan, he shook his head repeatedly. "Brother Lin's maneuver was truly... unexpected. Still, it was wise. The runner-up can also choose any one of the top-three prizes. Once he achieved his goal, there was no need to fight tooth and nail."
They both understood perfectly well that Lin Sheng had never wanted the title of champion, only the Earth Vein Crystal or the dragon-subduing iron among the top-three rewards. Since second place would get him one, why fight Ao Xuan to the bitter end? Especially when Ao Xuan had clearly been gathering his strength in anticipation. With such a vast gap between their cultivation levels, engaging him was plainly unwise.
An equally peculiar silence settled over the private box on the top floor.
Villen sat with his mouth open, unable to utter a word for ages. He had imagined all sorts of